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Thread: Gourmet Crickets

  1. #1
    Super Moderator flybyferns's Avatar
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    Default Gourmet Crickets

    For my friends.
    I hope I have the photos in the right order.

    Gourmet Crickets
    This is how I feed my red eyed tree frogs
    This is simple and annoying at the same time.



    Above : ( purchased on line)
    or your choice of dried commercially prepared cricket food
    See my cricket food recipe below









    Above : I keep 3 sometimes 4 small bins, these bins have lots of tiny air holes holes (sides and tops)
    ( I melt the holes into them in using something that heats up quickly) I think actually used an old metal fork .
    THIS NEEDS PARENTAL SUPERVISION!
    I keep my bins covered because I have 2 cats



    Above bin #1 - above is a mix - right now- of small and medium crickets That big male ( center right ) will be thrown in to the "baby making" bin today. He will be very happy there !







    Above- bin #2 ( baby bin)
    is a mix of hatched pin heads and up to about 1/8 “ crickets.
    This bin has thousands and thousands of crickets in it. To get to this point takes a least 6 weeks ?
    (separating is a huge pain) this mix just happens because all the eggs just don’t hatch at the same time.
    Note: hatching goes from egg to little teeny tiny full grown cricket- when they hatch they just start running around. This bin has cotton balls in the corners soaked with spring water and the cricket food in on the bottom of the bin. They do no climb into dishes for a while.







    Above- - Bin #3

    This bin is being prepared today for more babies.
    2 small containers( or more if your want) of tropical soil / with air holes ( hot fork idea)
    ( these containers will be moved-later- into the baby bin - bin #2 -when you see tons of eggs-
    move the whole ---container dirt and all!)
    Clean climbing stuff for the moms and dads to get in these dirt containers easily.
    Adult ( large) male and female crickets ( after awhile you will have your own supply)
    Food and water - and wait .
    Keep them warm and clean. They will be noisy !
    I keep my bins on the tortoise table . Near “Tank’s ” big UVB light. "Tank" is my Russian tortoise rescue- I have had him for 15 years.



    “ Say Hello - Tank “ He is grouchy because it’s October. Warm and cuddly , isn’t he!

    Raising And Breeding Crickets

    Above is a link to great instructions and suggestions .

    Cricket food is affordable but easy to make too. I store extra in the frig in a zip lock bag.
    There are lots of recipes on line. Careful not to make too much.

    Here is my recipe:
    Mix together one part calcium fortified corn flakes, one part baby cereal ( I use rice) , one part raw unsalted sunflower seeds, one part wheat germ, one part Quaker oats, one part dry skim milk

    Some suggest other ingredients.
    ( I do not use tropical fish flake / spirulina, dry cat food or chick feed.) In my experience these ingredients get moldy quickly. Instead I mix this whole batch with my purchased cricket food---see above pic.

    Grind the ingredients in a blender, food processor or grinder. Grind in short pulses until you achieve a coarse, crumbly mixture.

    Store the mixture in the frig in a plastic sealable container or zip lock bag.

    You can supplement with fresh fruit and vegetable scraps . I do not do this very often. I gets mold very quickly. You would not want the mold introduced into the frog enclosure.

    Yummy !
    Current Collection
    Dendrobates leucomelas - standard morph
    Dendrobates auratus “Costa Rican Green Black"
    Dendrobates auratus "Pena Blanca"
    Dendrobates tinctorius “New River”
    Dendrobates tinctorius "Green Sipaliwini"
    Dendrobates tinctorius “Powder Blue"
    Dendrobates tinctorius "French Guiana Dwarf Cobalt"

    Phyllobates terribilis “Mint”
    Phyllobates terribilis "Orange"
    Phyllobates bicolor "Uraba"

    Oophaga pumilio "Black Jeans"
    Oophaga pumilio "Isla Popa"
    Oophaga pumilio "Bastimentos"
    Oophaga pumilio “Mimbitimbi”
    Oophaga pumilio "Rio Colubre"
    Oophaga pumilio "Red Frog Beach”
    Oophaga pumilio "Rio Branco"
    Oophaga pumilio “Valle del Rey”
    Oophaga pumilio "BriBri"
    Oophaga pumilio "El Dorado"
    Oophaga pumilio "Cristobal"
    Oophaga pumilio "Rambala"

    Oophaga “Vicentei” (blue)

    Oophaga sylvatica "Paru"
    Oophaga sylvatica "Pata Blanca"
    Oophaga histrionica “Redhead”
    Oophaga histrionica "Blue"
    Oophaga lehmanni "Red"
    Oophaga histrionica "Tado"

    Ranitomeya variabilis "Southern"
    Ranitomeya imitator "Varadero"
    Ranitomeya sirensis "Lower Ucayali"
    Ranitomeya vanzolinii

    http://www.fernsfrogs.com
    https://www.facebook.com/ferns.frogs

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  3. #2
    Super Moderator flybyferns's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gourmet Crickets

    ??????
    Current Collection
    Dendrobates leucomelas - standard morph
    Dendrobates auratus “Costa Rican Green Black"
    Dendrobates auratus "Pena Blanca"
    Dendrobates tinctorius “New River”
    Dendrobates tinctorius "Green Sipaliwini"
    Dendrobates tinctorius “Powder Blue"
    Dendrobates tinctorius "French Guiana Dwarf Cobalt"

    Phyllobates terribilis “Mint”
    Phyllobates terribilis "Orange"
    Phyllobates bicolor "Uraba"

    Oophaga pumilio "Black Jeans"
    Oophaga pumilio "Isla Popa"
    Oophaga pumilio "Bastimentos"
    Oophaga pumilio “Mimbitimbi”
    Oophaga pumilio "Rio Colubre"
    Oophaga pumilio "Red Frog Beach”
    Oophaga pumilio "Rio Branco"
    Oophaga pumilio “Valle del Rey”
    Oophaga pumilio "BriBri"
    Oophaga pumilio "El Dorado"
    Oophaga pumilio "Cristobal"
    Oophaga pumilio "Rambala"

    Oophaga “Vicentei” (blue)

    Oophaga sylvatica "Paru"
    Oophaga sylvatica "Pata Blanca"
    Oophaga histrionica “Redhead”
    Oophaga histrionica "Blue"
    Oophaga lehmanni "Red"
    Oophaga histrionica "Tado"

    Ranitomeya variabilis "Southern"
    Ranitomeya imitator "Varadero"
    Ranitomeya sirensis "Lower Ucayali"
    Ranitomeya vanzolinii

    http://www.fernsfrogs.com
    https://www.facebook.com/ferns.frogs

  4. #3
    Founder John's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gourmet Crickets

    Lynn, you've almost got an article on your hands there. What do you think?
    Founder of Frogforum.net (2008) and Caudata.org (2001)

  5. #4
    Super Moderator flybyferns's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gourmet Crickets

    Sure ! What is the next step?
    Current Collection
    Dendrobates leucomelas - standard morph
    Dendrobates auratus “Costa Rican Green Black"
    Dendrobates auratus "Pena Blanca"
    Dendrobates tinctorius “New River”
    Dendrobates tinctorius "Green Sipaliwini"
    Dendrobates tinctorius “Powder Blue"
    Dendrobates tinctorius "French Guiana Dwarf Cobalt"

    Phyllobates terribilis “Mint”
    Phyllobates terribilis "Orange"
    Phyllobates bicolor "Uraba"

    Oophaga pumilio "Black Jeans"
    Oophaga pumilio "Isla Popa"
    Oophaga pumilio "Bastimentos"
    Oophaga pumilio “Mimbitimbi”
    Oophaga pumilio "Rio Colubre"
    Oophaga pumilio "Red Frog Beach”
    Oophaga pumilio "Rio Branco"
    Oophaga pumilio “Valle del Rey”
    Oophaga pumilio "BriBri"
    Oophaga pumilio "El Dorado"
    Oophaga pumilio "Cristobal"
    Oophaga pumilio "Rambala"

    Oophaga “Vicentei” (blue)

    Oophaga sylvatica "Paru"
    Oophaga sylvatica "Pata Blanca"
    Oophaga histrionica “Redhead”
    Oophaga histrionica "Blue"
    Oophaga lehmanni "Red"
    Oophaga histrionica "Tado"

    Ranitomeya variabilis "Southern"
    Ranitomeya imitator "Varadero"
    Ranitomeya sirensis "Lower Ucayali"
    Ranitomeya vanzolinii

    http://www.fernsfrogs.com
    https://www.facebook.com/ferns.frogs

  6. #5
    Super Moderator flybyferns's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gourmet Crickets

    Quote Originally Posted by John View Post
    Lynn, you've almost got an article on your hands there. What do you think?
    John,
    I have been working on this.
    I'm an RN and diabetes educator - work has been just-- crazy busy !

    I will have a rough draft soon.
    -I took out the photo of my tortoise
    -made a supplies list
    -I have pics to add ( feeding dish ideas , "Gerber Rice Cereal for the cricket food recipe, bag of cotton balls for supplying water )
    I would love to make a batch of food and take photos during the prep of the recipe-it would make the article longer but very complete , especially since it is important to make small amounts at a time to keep it fresh
    - I labeled the bins in a different color fonts in the article

    I was also thinking about taking the pics over?
    I could label the bins in the new photos w/ corresponding colors as in the directions with signs on them i.e. fork holes and bins and bin parts parts

    I'll work on it more over the weekend and a get a draft to you. How would you like me to get the draft to you , PM or in the forum feeding area?
    I do not have any thin skin. All constructive criticisms are respected and welcome regarding any topic. I took a beating recently on paper towel substrate and leaving my moreletii in my enclosure. If I can survive that on this really , really great forum; I can survive a little cricket rearing criticism! I'm looking forward to doing this for you as I have had tremendous success w/ the crickets reproducing, and in fact typically have more than I need. ( I should find someone to share them with, I usually give them to the birds ) It is really very simple, just a bit time consuming. Please let me know if you have any other ideas /anything else you would like me to include in the draft as I move forward.

    Have a great day, Lynn --- Snow in the Catskills this weekend -- imagine that !!!! Even a few flakes here on Long Island !
    Current Collection
    Dendrobates leucomelas - standard morph
    Dendrobates auratus “Costa Rican Green Black"
    Dendrobates auratus "Pena Blanca"
    Dendrobates tinctorius “New River”
    Dendrobates tinctorius "Green Sipaliwini"
    Dendrobates tinctorius “Powder Blue"
    Dendrobates tinctorius "French Guiana Dwarf Cobalt"

    Phyllobates terribilis “Mint”
    Phyllobates terribilis "Orange"
    Phyllobates bicolor "Uraba"

    Oophaga pumilio "Black Jeans"
    Oophaga pumilio "Isla Popa"
    Oophaga pumilio "Bastimentos"
    Oophaga pumilio “Mimbitimbi”
    Oophaga pumilio "Rio Colubre"
    Oophaga pumilio "Red Frog Beach”
    Oophaga pumilio "Rio Branco"
    Oophaga pumilio “Valle del Rey”
    Oophaga pumilio "BriBri"
    Oophaga pumilio "El Dorado"
    Oophaga pumilio "Cristobal"
    Oophaga pumilio "Rambala"

    Oophaga “Vicentei” (blue)

    Oophaga sylvatica "Paru"
    Oophaga sylvatica "Pata Blanca"
    Oophaga histrionica “Redhead”
    Oophaga histrionica "Blue"
    Oophaga lehmanni "Red"
    Oophaga histrionica "Tado"

    Ranitomeya variabilis "Southern"
    Ranitomeya imitator "Varadero"
    Ranitomeya sirensis "Lower Ucayali"
    Ranitomeya vanzolinii

    http://www.fernsfrogs.com
    https://www.facebook.com/ferns.frogs

  7. #6
    Founder John's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gourmet Crickets

    Hi Lynn,

    You can PM it to me as an attachment, or use the email button to send me a message and I'll reply with an email. Thanks for the hard work. I know what it's like to be busy. I've had next to no time for the forum lately myself with real life commitments.

    Best,

    John
    Founder of Frogforum.net (2008) and Caudata.org (2001)

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